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View Poll Results: Did you wear a parachute on the first test flight of an RV?
YES 25 17.86%
NO 115 82.14%
Voters: 140. You may not vote on this poll

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  #11  
Old 11-02-2011, 06:24 PM
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N941WR N941WR is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
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I did for my first three flights, all made in the same day.

My fear was fire. If I smelled smoke or Tad Sargent called fire, I was out.

However, on the first flight with the second engine (O-360), I did not wear a chute.
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  #12  
Old 11-02-2011, 06:28 PM
don.olandese don.olandese is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 193
Default chute on test flight

one first in one day was enough. i was testing an airplane, and tho i had full confidence it would fly just fine, i didn't want to test a parachute too if it didn't!
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  #13  
Old 11-02-2011, 09:20 PM
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lostpilot28 lostpilot28 is offline
 
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I did, and I've never jumped...from what I've read, the emergency 'chutes are made to open even if you're tumbling. That was reassuring. I also replaced my canopy bolts with pip-pins, so that thing was coming off if it needed to!
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  #14  
Old 11-03-2011, 03:10 AM
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David Shelton David Shelton is offline
 
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Location: Belvidere, IL
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I grew up racing sailplanes so most of my flying has been with a parachute. In soaring, parachutes are common and required for SSA sanctioned contests. It's not unusual to share a tight thermal with 5-10 other pilots so you can imagine the opportunity for a mid air collision. One of my friends survived a bail out.

If you have a parachute available to you, it certainly can't hurt to wear it. Read the parachute manual so you know how to inspect, wear and use it. Make sure it has a current repack date. Also, it's helpful to think about a clear bail out plan.
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  #15  
Old 11-03-2011, 06:15 AM
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Location: Stuart, FL /Hartford, CT/Virgin Gorda,BVI
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there must be a check list for bailing out...........
headset, hatch, harness, hopout!!!!!!! weeeee
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  #16  
Old 11-03-2011, 06:41 AM
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Location: Waco, Texas
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We know the door of a -10 can be opened in flight from the inside. Ted Chang was able to do it when he was on fire.

Getting out shouldn't be too terribly hard as long as you have some time and don't hit the tail when it goes by.
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  #17  
Old 11-03-2011, 09:15 AM
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panhandler1956 panhandler1956 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,686
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I didn't wear one on the first flight, but I have worn one for acro and limit testing.
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  #18  
Old 11-03-2011, 09:22 AM
nauga nauga is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: AOTP
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turbo View Post
there must be a check list for bailing out...........
headset, hatch, harness, hopout!!!!!!! weeeee
I don't have a checklist but I do (did when the -4 was flying, anyway) bailout drills after shutdown. Duck and dump the canopy, shuck the harness and headset, and over the side.

...or was it 'dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge'?
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  #19  
Old 11-03-2011, 09:54 AM
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Bill Wightman Bill Wightman is offline
 
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Location: OKC, OK
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Yes I did wear a chute for the first few flights. I also wore one for flutter testing and spin testing.
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  #20  
Old 11-03-2011, 09:57 AM
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Cadstat Cadstat is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Posts: 199
Default First flight

I flew other A/C on the maiden voyage. If you spent 3-6 years crawling over, under and through the aircraft and you still think you might need a chute then you better spend a little more time on the ground.
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